Windows 7 + 540s + V305 = FAILURE

I was running Vista SP1 64-bit on my 540s and the V305 was working fine. I upgraded to Windows 7 64-bit. All seemed well. I tried to print using my Dell V305 printer and received "Communication Not Available". I removed the printer, downloaded all updates, downloaded the latest supposedly Win7 compatible driver (R237071) which I happened to notice is the exact same file for all versions of XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

I have wasted about 2 hours on this ridiculous problem and am getting very frustrated. Waiting 20+ minutes on tech support with no answer didn't help.

For the sweet love of whatever deity you do or do not subscribe to, is there some way to install just the specific, compatible driver for the V305? It worked in Vista SP1 64-bit so can't I just get that driver somewhere and download it without this Dell bloatware? Even stranger, if I try to scan something using the Windows based scanning program, it works fine. If I try to scan something from the Dell Imaging Toolbox I get the same error.

When it worked, this was a decent but ink hungry printer. Now I am furious with it. The amount of time I've wasted trying to fix this thing has cost me more than its worth.

PLEASE PLEASE, I beg of you Dell..........resolve this obviously unacceptable issue.

For the V305, try installing the Vista 64-bit drivers in the compatibility mode.

Right click on the setup.exe file, left click properties, left click compatibility. Change the compatibility to Vista. Then install the proper drivers. You'll be prompted when to connect the printer(powered on)

***To install drivers, sometimes the file unzips and does nothing. You have to look for the setup.exe file, right click on it, then left click run as administrator***

I did as you suggested. Removed all printers, uninstalled all printers, removed all drivers, restarted the computer. I even set the setup.exe file on the disc to run in Vista SP1 compat. mode. I always get the same error. I am at my wits end and am sick of wasting time on this issue. This is really ridiculous considering this printer was forcibly bundled with the PC and has obvious problems.

Finally got the V305 working after much irritation. If this will potentially help anyone else who upgrades to Windows 7 here is what I did, assuming you're running Windows 7 and the printer is installed but not working correctly:

*First turn off your printer and disconnect the USB cable going to the PC.*

*Do NOT use/install the Dell driver R237071 if you haven't already. This seemed to actually cause or at least contribute to the initial problem.*

2. Left click the printer, or any other printer. Click "Print Server Properties" near the top of the window. Click the "Drivers" tab at the top of the window. Now, select each V305 driver that has been installed and click "Remove" and then "Delete". It may say some file could not be deleted but ignore this.

The screen may indicate that "Windows is up to date" but ignore this. Click "Check for updates" on the left of the window.

Now it seems Windows 7 will mysteriously somehow locate and install the two V305 updates which previously failed.

9. Once the updates have finished installing, reboot your PC.

10. Now try to print something........hopefully you're now home free!

Installing something as simple as a printer shouldn't cause this kind of headache. I hope this helps some other poor soul avoid the wasted hours I've spent. It may also save a few V305s from being thrown out the window which I seriously considered.

Just upgraded to Windows 7 and my v305 has stopped working too. Says something about left cartridge needs replacing despite everything working ok before I upgraded.Instead of enjoying Windows 7 I too have spent an hour trying to sort this mess out.Too tired to try to sort it out now, but will certainly try tomorrow.Similar thing happened to me when I bought my current computer with vista on it and ended up having to buy a new printer despite the fact the old one was in perfect nick.Really annoying me this now and of the solution above does not work, Dell will have lost another customer for good. It should be this hard work.

I managed to figure out a solution to the problem I was having with the no communication available message. It turns out that the driver Dell is using for Windows 7 is the same in Vista. This normally wouldn't be a problem, except that Windows 7 changed its security software up a bit, and requires an administrator to make changes to anything on the computer. I was sick of not being able to print, and then thought of something. I ran both the install file for the driver in as an administrator, AND the program I wished to print from as an administrator. Voila, it worked, and I am able to print again. Dell really does need to update the driver for windows 7 though, with so many people having problems.

Hi hoped this would work but still having problems. My laptop can see the printer but refuse to print still getting 'communication.....' error. Tried connecting another laptop to printer and it all works ok. Connected my laptop to another printer and works fine. Can anyone give me anymore advise please.

Not being able to use my Dell V305 was driving me crazy after I had been using it just fine before upgrading to Windows 7. I have been getting the .net framework error that everyone has already mentioned as well.

I used the instructions above about using Vista compatibility mode after removing the software that had failed the other two times I downloaded it. The file I downloaded was R237071 and it autoran after unzipping. It took me hours trying numerous fixes for that "Can't communicate" error. I really appreciate the help I received here!

You are a complete homework and sanity saver. I couldn't get the darn thing to work for anything and my middle schooler couldn't print any of his homework. These instructions were right on the money, easy to follow and it completely fixed my problem. I thank you eternally for keeping me from throwing this printer under my van and running it over. That wouldn't have solved the printing problem but I sure would have felt better. Too bad you can't work your magic on the Dell phone support problem.... I'd almost give my right kidney to get an agent in under 32 minutes that speaks passable English.